Sink or Swim... or Walk!
2 Years • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Drive-thru prank illustration
Timeline - Baptism, Temptation, Disciples, Passover, Sermon on the Mount, calms storm, casts demons, paralytic, calls Matthew, commissions Apostles, John the B. dies
Last week, feeding 5,000
We didn’t read this...
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Let’s read this too:
45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.
1. Jesus figured they want Him to be king
2. Jesus kindly sends them away
Question: Why didn’t Jesus want to become king?
They wanted a specific type of king
One to beat Rome...
Put it this way… He didn’t become king because He didn’t want a demotion!
Put it this way… He didn’t become king because He didn’t want a demotion!
Why wouldn’t the President become governor, or General become Captain?
Jesus is already the king of kings, the ruler of all creation...
And He came to be ruler of our hearts...
That’s why He rode on a donkey, not a white horse
Also, earthly kings aren’t the ones that die for sins...
He could conquer the earth physically, but until His death, victory wouldn’t come
Jesus has zero interest in being a king
So He says, Bye Felicia!
Then, Jesus places a limit on things...
Often shocked about people’s expectations of others
You should do this, you should be there, you should offer that...
Illustration: Great idea for a ministry...
Great idea! How can I help you do it?
Well, I wanted you to do it...
But it was your idea, not mine
Yeah, but I can’t do that!
It’s selfishness - we’ve seen that the last couple weeks
We don’t have a shortage of toilet paper...
We have an excess of selfishness
If people stopped taking more than they need, we’ have enough
Like we always have!
I wonder if that’s how they responded to Jesus...
Yeah, but my brother isn’t healed yet!
Hey, I still have questions for you!
What about my autograph?
One of the biggest causes for burnout is this:
We are afraid to say no, or we can’t accept someone else’s no
Jesus draws a line at becoming king, and dismisses everyone
Including the disciples! He MADE them go!
Why?
mk 6:46
46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.
Jesus was tired!
Because He wanted
Long day of sailing, miracles, walking...
Notice this: He wasn’t so tired He didn’t have the energy to pray...
He was so tired He had to pray!
This is something we are always getting backwards
Especially if you serve in ministry
Prayer should be your priority
Pray to get through your ministry
Don’t do your ministry, and then get too tired to pray
Then you’re doing exactly what we talked about last week
Leaning on yourself, and not God
mk 6:47-
mk 6:47-
47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,
47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.
Wait a second...
This is one of my favorite things about God
You know, he created humor...
One of His beautiful inventions, no survival purpose...
He meant to pass by them… one of two things is happening
Jesus wants to get over there, but is too tired to walk around
Ever have to cut across someones lawn?
Whatever, I’m tired. I’m doing a miracle
Act out looking around and cutting...
Trying to sneak past and gets caught because He was trying to pass...
Oh, hey guys! Caught me...
He meant to pass by them!
If this is what happened, how often did He do this that we don’t know about?
Remember, He calmed the storm cuz the disciples woke Him up!
Just wanted to go back to bed!
Like letting my dog out at 4:00am!
Actually, all of Jesus’ miracles are about releasing burdens...
They couldn’t catch fish, so He made them catch a lot
They ran out of wine, so He made more
They couldn’t see, so He gave them sight
Ultimately, we couldn’t stop sinning, so He made a way...
Where are your burdens today that you won’t give up?
The other possibility is this:
2. Jesus is messing with the disciples
Hey guys! Funny seeing you here!
It’s about 3 in the morning
Weird stuff happens at 3
You have to know you’re going to be noticed walking on water...
If I walked on stage at church wearing platforms, a Missy Elliot trash bag suit and a sombrero...
and acted like nothing was happening - wait a minute!
How can Jesus be walking on water, about to pass the disciples, and not realize their looking sideways?
How would you react? Mystified? Terrified?
One time I scared Ronnie
I meant to make him jump, not ruin his world...
Link to Jesus walking on water prank
49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,
mk 6:49-
Jesus terrified the disciples
Imagine this:
3am, winds are blowing, it’s dark, someone comes walking by
That’s scary!
Mario in the window
I was terrified!
Jesus scared them, but immediately tried to comfort them
Before He gets in the boat, let’s switch to another account
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
mat 14:27-29
I love Peter, one of my favorites
Because I relate to him...
Let me explain why
Peter loves Jesus
He’ll do whatever it takes!
Peter pledged his allegiance to Christ
I’lkl
33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
Never!
Peter cut the ear off of a soldier to defend Jesus
22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”
Not on my watch Jesus!
33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
I will never deny you!
I will never deny you!
Peter says NEVER!
Peter cut the ear off of a soldier to defend Jesus
He’s so gung ho… but Jesus always correcting
After rebuke, get behind me Satan!
After never deny, he does 3 times
Jesus looks at him in Luke
When he cuts ear, Jesus reattaches it
He who lives by the sword...
Peter does the same in the boat
He walks all the way up to him! Amazing!
Then he starts thinking...
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Explain - this shouldn’t be happening
This is terrifying! Not the joy I thought!
Just like our walk...
Yells out SAVE ME!
Ronnie in the pool - JUMP!
Trust me! I won’t let you drown!
mt 14:31
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
What is your water and your wind?
Those are the challenges in front of you
Just keep stepping right over them!
That same Jesus is on the throne!
This virus can’t stop Him!
He’s not shocked, He’s in charge!
Trust Him!
Don’t let the wind and waves allow you to sink...
Grab His hand, and the winds will cease...
Fighting in stores, giving up on life, staying awake
Keep taking steps, and keep your eyes on Jesus!